First day of First Grade. First year returning to school after summer vacation. Lots of new and lots of familiar. Balance. It is natural for kids-and parents- to feel a variety of emotions on the first day of school. The days leading up can be filled with unexpected outbursts, regressions and disproportionate reactions as their little bodies are trying to process all the excitement and nerves. They need us to welcome their emotions and hold the space, so they can feel them and let them go. Much better than stuffing them down for a later date. They also need us to help create a positive story around school. It’s great if there can be an early visit to the campus to see new classrooms, meet teachers and get reacquainted. We can then notice how caring, funny or thoughtful their teacher is. To reassure them they are safe. To remind them of how much fun the climbing structure can be - or
Whatever it is they will look forward to. They need to connect with an adult to feel safe and we can help facilitate that connection. Abundance of jitters? Let their teacher know and most likely, they will instinctively make an effort to create extra connection. Perhaps, they will find a job for your child to start the day. Maybe your child can help someone new, who is feeling all alone and make a new friend in the process. Hiding a note and/or a family photo in their backpack or lunchbox is another way to give them a little love from afar. As their leaders, it is important for us to manage our feelings too, lest they seep out in unsavory ways. Self-care is essential. Enough sleep and time meditating, journaling, dancing or exercising. Honoring the passage of time. Creating a morning routine helps minimize stress. Our kids tune into our limbic system. If we are frantic, they are sure to catch the vibe and are more likely to act out. Give yourself extra time in the first few weeks and make more time for Special Time and giggles! Remember- after school is another time to expect big emotions. They’ve been keeping their big kid boots on all day and need a place to laugh it out, so they can do it all over again tomorrow!

To the freedom loving tribes on our borders and the States beyond our borders, we send our greetings and assure that Pakistan will respect their status and will extend to them its most friendly co-operation in preserving peace. We have no ambition beyond the desire to live honorably and let others live honorably. "
Pakistan Zindabad! "
Quaid-i-Azam Mohammad Ali Jinnah
Let this message of Quaid lead us to brighter future and motivate us to leave none behind.
NVC clan wishes happy independence day to all the Pakistanis out there.
#nvc#independence#community_service#Pakistan#nustvolunteersclub#better_pakistan#togetherwecan#see_a_need_take_the_lead

Most people know how to “do” sex... but most people don’t know how to talk about it. Communication is key!!
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You might have noticed that I just did one of those ask me anything question things through my Instagram story. The majority of the questions you gave me involved the need for some sort of communication...
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How do you get your partner to spend more time in foreplay and not go straight to penetration?
•👍🏽Communication 👍🏽
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What do you do if you’re questioning your Sexuality?
•👍🏽Communicate 👍🏽
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How do you get your partner to try new things?
•👍🏽Communication 👍🏽
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What do you do if you want sex more than your partner?
•👍🏽Communicate 👍🏽
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Problem is, most of us were never taught how to communicate...
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✨ The good news is that there are systems of communication out there that are amazingly helpful. ✨
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Non-Violent Communication (NVC) is one of those systems. The name put me off for years (I wrote it off as hippy nonsense), but the system is fucking incredible, and it has changed my entire life and the lives of many close friends of mine. It works.
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Yes, I want to acknowledge that if used improperly, NVC can be used to hurt and manipulate people - but it’s just like any other tool. Give me a hammer and I can build a house with it or I can kill someone with it.
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Ultimately NVC is about a *state of mind* more than any technique. I recommend checking out YouTube videos of Marshal Rosenberg, the founder... His book is amazing too.
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@pusssywitch@grammagicallycorrect and I have gone through multiple NVC courses together. Very, very helpful.
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Have you studied NVC? Have you tried using it? Have you heard of or experienced it before? Curious to hear from you. 😌🙏🏽

See this work? It is not mine. This painting is by my beloved teacher named Hazel Belvo. I met her 3 summers ago in Grand Marais. I was hesitant to attend a lecture she offered because of disappointing reveals of artists in the past but somehow I ended up going. Today I hate to think of what I would have missed if I would have chosen not to go. Hearing her lecture was a life altering encounter for me. I was in tears by the end and could barely shake her hand when I walked out at the end. Hazel's presence is strong and quiet. She chooses what she speaks with great care. She loves deeply. Hazel Belvo is not someone you meet. Hazel Belvo is someone is someone you experience.

I must be honest, I have caught myself arguing matters that never needed to be argued about. Why then did I argue? I did not listen to the other person, I just waited for them to stop talking to jump in and share my “wisdom”. Every day now I try to challenge my thinking when I have the feeling to judge, to disregard others opinions. Who am I to say that my way of thinking is the right way?
Saying all this, I will not stop speaking up for matters that are important to me, that need to be addressed because they are hurting others or take right away.
I still have so much to learn...
#patience#listen#speak#respect#discussion#empathy#be_true_to_yourself#love#life#standupforinjustice🤛 #care#community#wisdom#nvc#giraffetalk

Exercise empathy to hear people’s feelings, needs, and requests.
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To begin understanding another person, one needs to begin by listening with empathy. Meaning, creating space (being present in that very moment) where the person we are listening to can express themselves while we try to feel what they feel.
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The majority of us fail to do this, and instead default to offering advice, solutions, or reassurance, and all along potentially failing to truly hear what they are emotionally trying to express.
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In my experience the best practice has been to listen carefully (full of care) and follow up with questions about their needs, feelings, and requests. Sometimes they may actually need advice, or a hug, but at times they may simply be lost.
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This is where the power of paraphrasing comes into play. At times what people need is not the same as what they say and think they need. By acting as a sounding board and paraphrasing you can facilitate what they are trying to communicate.
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For example -
Let’s say your manager tells you: “You are not a good communicator”. This may surprise you as you have never heard anyone complain about your ability to communicate before, but now you can reflect back their statement by asking in a gentle tone: “I’m not a good communicator?” This will allow your manager to expand on the delivery of the original message and may follow by saying: “yes, none of our members knew that we had changed our schedule and they were all half an hour late for class today”. To make sure you’ve understood, you paraphrase what your manager said back in your own words: “The members didn’t know about the schedule change?” This shows your manager that you’ve understood and allows for an opportunity to correct you if you are wrong or the opportunity to go a little further and confirm what you said by replying “Yes, we need to change the system on how we inform our members on any major changes in our schedule and program.”
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Through paraphrasing you have now led your manager to communicating the true root of the problem, which is the communication system and not your ability to communicate itself. #thefreestyleway#lifestyledesign

I had a weird day on Friday after my van broke down. But it helped me see how much more resilient I’ve become in the last decade, and how quickly I can now tap into gratitude. Check out my IGTV for the longer video about that. And I hope you can find gratitude in your own journey this weekend.

It’s honestly all still surreal. A few months ago we were a group of friends with a crazy idea entering a business competition at the last minute on a whim. Forward to today and we are not only finalists but winners of the 2018 UCI New Venture Competition. Our team of four undergrads beat out teams with MBAs, PhDs, and experiences business pros showing that anyone can be an entrepreneur.
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I can’t say thank you enough to our team, our mentors, and everyone who supported us for making this one of the greatest experiences of my life. This is just the beginning. I promise you. TEAM APEEL FOR LIFE!!
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#ANTrepreneur#entrepreneur#NVC